Router Guide

ABSTRACT

A router guide is provided. The device includes a planar body having a first elongated opening and a second elongated opening therethrough. The first elongated opening intersects the second elongated opening perpendicularly. A circular opening having a diameter greater than the first and second openings, wherein the circular opening is disposed through the planar body at an intersection of the first and second elongated openings, such that the circular opening is dimensioned to receive a router bit therethrough. In some embodiments, a plurality of apertures is disposed through the planar body, wherein the plurality of apertures is disposed in a pair of colinear rows disposed parallel to each lateral edge of the planar body.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/035,633 filed on Jun. 5, 2020, and U.S. Nonprovisional applicationSer. No. 17/336,820 filed on Jun. 2, 2021. The above identified patentapplications are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety toprovide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a router guide. More particularly, thepresent invention pertains to a router guide that allows a user toprecisely position a router bit along a board, trim, or other objectwith either a handheld or table router.

Many individuals enjoy woodworking and making modifications to a home,either personally or professionally. For example, individuals may wishto embellish trim or cabinetry with decorative patterns or rounded andbeveled edges. Furthermore, a user may wish to install trim, baseboards,door frames, chair railings, crown moldings, window frames, windowsills,stairs, or other objects within the home or business. Alternatively, auser may wish to hollow out a portion of wood to create a depressedinterior, such as with cabinet doors, to achieve a desired look. Inorder to perform these modifications, a router must often be used.However, it can be difficult, particularly for amateurs, to ensure therouter cuts a in a precise straight line. Particularly, in uses wherethe router bit is not directly along an edge of the material, ensuringstraight cuts is even more difficult. Users are often forced to rely onestimates during use, which can result in uneven or curved cuts. In manycases, the wood panel or trim may be irrevocably damaged, requiringexpensive replacement materials. Some router devices include a built-inguide; however, such guides are often impossible to use unless the useris cutting along an edge of the material. Additionally, such routersfail to provide a means of adjusting the distance of the router from theguide along independent axes, thereby ensuring maximum precision in cutsmade with the associated router bit. Therefore, a device that can allowa user to make precise straight cuts with either a handheld or tablerouter is desired.

In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted thatthe present invention substantially diverges in design elements from theknown art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the artfor an improvement to existing router guides. In this regard, theinstant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofrouter guides now present in the known art, the present inventionprovides a router guide wherein the same can be utilized for providingconvenience for the user when positioning a router bit along a desiredboard or piece of trim during use of a handheld or table router.

The present system comprises a planar body having a first elongatedopening and a second elongated opening therethrough. The first elongatedopening perpendicularly intersects the second elongated opening. Acircular opening having a diameter greater than a width of each of thefirst and second elongated openings, wherein the circular opening isdisposed through the planar body at an intersection of the first andsecond elongated openings. The circular opening is dimensioned toreceive a router bit therethrough. In some embodiments, a plurality ofapertures disposed through the planar body, wherein the plurality ofapertures comprises a pair of colinear rows of apertures disposedparallel to each lateral edge of the planar body.

In some embodiments, the second elongated opening intersects the firstelongated opening at a midpoint thereof. In another embodiment, thefirst and second elongated openings are disposed centrally along theplanar body. In other embodiments, a guide bar is affixed to a firstside of the planar body, wherein the guide bar extends parallel to thefirst elongated opening. In yet another embodiment, a plurality ofmeasurement indicia is disposed on each of an upper edge, a lower edge,and each lateral edge of the planar body. In some embodiments, theplurality of measurement indicia extends along the upper and lower edgealong a length of the first elongated opening. In another embodiment,the plurality of measurement indicia is etched into the planar body. Inother embodiments, a length of the first elongated opening is double alength of the second elongated opening. In yet another embodiment, thefirst elongated opening is disposed parallel to an upper edge of theplanar body. In some embodiments, the plurality of apertures is disposedat regular intervals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1A shows an upper perspective view of an embodiment of the routerguide.

FIG. 1B shows a lower perspective view of an embodiment of the routerguide.

FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of an embodiment of the router guide.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the router guide inuse.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the router guide. The figures are intended forrepresentative purposes only and should not be considered to be limitingin any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, there is shown an upper perspectiveview of an embodiment of the router guide and a lower perspective viewof an embodiment of the router guide, respectively. The router guide 11comprises a planar body 12 having an upper edge 21, a lower edge 22, anda pair of lateral edges 23. The planar body 12 is contemplated tocomprise a metallic material having sufficient weight to stabilize theplanar body 12 on a cutting surface during use. In the shownembodiments, each edge 21, 22, 23 is defined about a central portion,wherein the central portion is dimensioned to retain a router tool (asshown in FIG. 3, 25 ) thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, a guidebar 17 is disposed along a first side 18 of the planar body 12, whereinthe guide bar 17 abuts an edge of a board (as shown in FIG. 3, 28 ) orother piece of material to be cut via the associated router tool. In theshown embodiment, the guide bar 17 is parallel to each of the upper andlower edges 21, 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide bar 17extends along a length of the central portion, such that the guide bar17 comprises a length greater than that of a first elongated opening 13disposed through the planar body 12. In this manner, the guide bar 17ensures that the associated router tool is aligned with and stabilizedby the edge of the board or other material.

A first elongated opening 13 and a second elongated opening 14 aredisposed through the planar body 12, wherein the first and secondelongated openings 13, 14 intersect perpendicularly. In this manner, arouter bit (as shown in FIG. 3, 26 ) inserted through each of the firstand second elongated openings 13, 14 can be positioned along independentaxes. In the shown embodiment, the first and second elongated openings13, 14 are positioned through the central portion of the planar body 12.In the shown embodiment, the first and second elongated openings 13, 14intersect perpendicularly at a midpoint of the first elongated opening13, such that the first elongated opening 13 is divided into two equalportions on opposing sides of the second elongated opening 14. In somesuch embodiments, the second elongated opening 14 comprises a lengthequivalent to half of the first elongated opening 13. In this manner,the user can selectively position the router bit along the first andsecond elongated openings 13, 14. A circular opening 15 is defined atthe intersection between the first and second elongated openings 13, 14,wherein the circular opening 15 comprises a diameter greater than awidth of each of the first and second elongated openings 13, 14. In thismanner, the user can insert the router bit through the circular opening15 to engage the router bit with the first and second elongated openings13, 14. Typical router bits include a widened tip relative to the routerbit shaft, such that the enlarged diameter of the circular opening 15can allow the router bit to pass therethrough, whereas the narrowerfirst and second elongated openings 13, 14 prevent the router bit fromexiting the first and second elongated openings 13, 14 when engagedtherewith.

In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of measurement indicia 20 aredisposed on each of the upper edge 21, the lower edge 22, and eachlateral edge 23 of the planar body 12. The plurality of measurementindicia 20 are disposed regularly along each edge 21, 22, 23, whereinthe plurality of measurement indicia 20 are contemplated to allow a userto precisely position the router bit within each of the first and secondelongated openings 13, 14. In the shown embodiment, the measurementindicia 20 disposed along the upper and lower edges 21, 22 extend alonga length of the first elongated opening 13, whereas the measurementindicia 20 disposed along the lateral edges 23 extend along a length ofthe second elongated opening 14 and the guide bar 17. Furthermore, inthe shown embodiment, the measurement indicia 20 define an initial zeromeasurement indicia in alignment with the circular opening 15, such thatall measurements made are defined relative to the position of thecircular opening 15. The plurality of measurement indicia 20 are furtherdisposed on each of the first side 18 and a second side 19 of the planarbody 12. In this manner, the router guide 11 can be utilized in aninverted position to better function with a table router tool, whereinthe second side 19 rests flush against an upper surface of the tablerouter. Alternatively, in combination with a handheld router, the firstside 18 rests against the handheld router base (as shown in FIG. 3, 27). The plurality of measurement indicia 20 can be etched, stamped, orprinted onto each of the first and second sides 18, 19 of the planarbody 12.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , there is shown a top plan view of anembodiment of the router guide. In the illustrated embodiment, the firstelongated opening 13 is disposed parallel to the guide bar 17 andcomprises rounded opposing ends, wherein the rounded opposing ends areconfigured to conform to a substantially cylindrical shaft of a routerbit. Similarly, in the shown embodiment, a distal end of the secondelongated opening 14 comprises a rounded shape. The first and secondelongated openings 13, 14 are parallel to and aligned with the pluralityof measurement indicia 20 to allow the user to position the router bitmore precisely within each of the elongated openings 13, 14. Forexample, the user can insert the router bit through the circular opening15 and selectively position the router bit along the second elongatedopening 14 to allow the user to cut along a board at a desired depth, oralternatively position the router bit along the first elongated opening13 to laterally position the router bit relative to the board.

In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of apertures 24 arepositioned along the planar body 12 adjacent to each of the lateraledges 23 thereof. The plurality of apertures 24 are dimensioned toremovably secure fasteners or spacers therethrough. In this manner, theuser can selectively secure a router to the planar body 12 via theplurality of apertures 24. In the shown embodiment, the plurality ofapertures 24 are disposed in two separate rows, wherein the apertures ofeach row are colinearly aligned along and parallel to the lateral edges23. The plurality of apertures 24 are contemplated to comprise threadingtherein to engage complementary threading of the fasteners, oralternatively, be dimensioned to comprise a diameter in close tolerancewith a diameter of the fasteners, such that the fastener is frictionallyengaged therein. The plurality of apertures 24 are positioned at regularintervals allowing the user to selectively position the router along theplanar body 12 in alignment with the plurality of measurement indicia20. In alternate embodiments, the planar body 12 comprises no aperturestherein, wherein the planar body 12 is contemplated to be removablysecured to the router tool via a separate clamp.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , there is shown an exploded view of anembodiment of the router guide in use. In one use, the router 25 issecured to the planar body 12 by inserting the router bit 26 through thecircular opening 15 disposed through the planar body 12. In someembodiments, the user can then insert fasteners through the router base27 and into the plurality of apertures within the planar body 12,whereas in alternate embodiments, a clamp can be applied to the routerbase 27 and the planar body 12. In further embodiments, the router bit26 is retained within the planar body 12 as the router bit 26 comprisesa wider tip than a width of the elongated openings, thereby preventingthe router 25 from being removed from the planar body 12 while therouter bit 26 is positioned along the elongated openings. Once secured,the user can place the planar body 12 on the surface of a board 28 orother material to be cut by the router bit 26 such that an edge of theboard 28 abuts the guide bar 17. In this manner, the router 25 can beretained in a position parallel to the edge of the board 28. In analternate use, the planar body 12 can be inverted for use with a tablerouter, wherein the router bit 26 extends upwards through the circularopening 15. In such uses, the guide bar 17 extends away from the uppersurface of the table router allowing the user to rest a board 28thereagainst. In this manner, the user can ensure that the router bit 26maintains a position parallel to the edge of the board 28. In oneparticular use, the user can first mark the board 28 to indicate theposition of a desired cut, keyhole, trimming, or other modification tobe applied via the router tool 25. The planar base 12 can then bealigned with the marking such that the marking is disposed through thecentral opening 15. The router bit 26 can then be placed against theboard 28 and traverse through the elongated openings in a horizontal orvertical movement as needed to perform the desired cut. As the elongatedopenings constrain the position of the router bit 26, this ensures astraight cut is made along the board 28. In this manner, the routerguide provides users with a cutting guide that allows a user toaccurately cut vertical and horizontal holes to install removable trims,baseboards, door frames, chair railings, crown moldings, window frames,windowsills, stairs, and the like to homes and businesses.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, thatdepartures may be made within the scope of the invention and thatobvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. Withrespect to the above description then, it is to be realized that theoptimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. A router guide, comprising: a planar body having a firstelongated opening and a second elongated opening therethrough; whereinthe first elongated opening perpendicularly intersects the secondelongated opening, such that a single T-shaped opening is formed; acircular opening having a diameter greater than a width of each of thefirst and second elongated openings, wherein the circular opening isdisposed through the planar body at an intersection of the first andsecond elongated openings; wherein the circular opening is dimensionedto receive a router bit therethrough.
 2. The router guide of claim 1,wherein the second elongated opening intersects the first elongatedopening at a midpoint thereof.
 3. The router guide of claim 1, whereinthe first and second elongated openings are disposed centrally along theplanar body.
 4. The router guide of claim 1, further comprising a guidebar affixed to a first side of the planar body, wherein the guide barextends parallel to the first elongated opening.
 5. The router guide ofclaim 1, further comprising a plurality of measurement indicia disposedon each of an upper edge, a lower edge, and each lateral edge of theplanar body.
 6. The router guide of claim 5, wherein the plurality ofmeasurement indicia extends along the upper and lower edge and isdisposed exclusively within a length corresponding to a length of thefirst elongated opening.
 7. The router guide of claim 1, wherein alength of the first elongated opening is double a length of the secondelongated opening.
 8. The router guide of claim 1, wherein the firstelongated opening is disposed parallel to an upper edge of the planarbody.
 9. A router guide, comprising: a planar body having a firstelongated opening and a second elongated opening therethrough; whereinthe first elongated opening perpendicularly intersects the secondelongated opening, such that a single T-shaped opening is formed; acircular opening having a diameter greater than a width of each of thefirst and second elongated openings, wherein the circular opening isdisposed through the planar body at an intersection of the first andsecond elongated openings; wherein the circular opening is dimensionedto receive a router bit therethrough; a plurality of apertures disposedthrough the planar body, wherein the plurality of apertures comprises apair of colinear rows of apertures disposed parallel to each lateraledge of the planar body.
 10. The router guide of claim 9, wherein thesecond elongated opening intersects the first elongated opening at amidpoint thereof.
 11. The router guide of claim 9, wherein the first andsecond elongated openings are disposed centrally along the planar body.12. The router guide of claim 9, further comprising a guide bar affixedto a first side of the planar body, wherein the guide bar extendsparallel to the first elongated opening.
 13. The router guide of claim9, further comprising a plurality of measurement indicia disposed oneach of an upper edge, a lower edge, and each lateral edge of the planarbody.
 14. The router guide of claim 13, wherein the plurality ofmeasurement indicia extends along the upper and lower edge and isdisposed exclusively within a length corresponding to a length of thefirst elongated opening.
 15. The router guide of claim 9, wherein theplurality of apertures is disposed at regular intervals.
 16. The routerguide of claim 9, wherein a length of the first elongated opening isdouble a length of the second elongated opening.
 17. The router guide ofclaim 9, wherein the first elongated opening is disposed parallel to anupper edge of the planar body.
 18. The router guide of claim 1, whereinthe planar body comprises a plurality of edges defined about a centralportion.
 19. The router guide of claim 1, wherein the plurality of edgescomprises a metallic material having sufficient weight to stabilize theplanar body on a cutting surface.